CDD Is All About The Smart Kids

[rexvol]

You've mentioned the Tennessee coaching staff a couple of times, what stands out the most to you about Derek Dooley and his staff as a group?

You want the truth? I'll tell you. They're not fake. That's what stands out. I don't want a coach to tell me whatever I want to hear and then later on things don't turn out like they said, and that's definitely not going to be what you get from the Tennessee coaches. Coach Dooley reminds me of my Dad. He's a man that you're going to respect and he's going to give it to you straight.

Rob Lewis
VolQuest.com Associate Editor

This is from an interview at Tennessee Volunteers Football: Volquest.com with G. Orta. It started me thinking about the sort of kids that CDD has targeted. I think we all acknowledge that he's after kids with high character and such, but Orta's answer really spoke volumes to me. Recruiting is full of snake oil salesman (Trooper) that simply lie to these kids. I think LK and EO were two of the worst because all they did was sell the NFL dream. Unfortunately most of these talented kids are coming from poor situations and are looking for a way out. They often dont see the college education as the way, but rather are focused on cashing that bonus check, endorsement deals, etc. LK and his ilk exploit that without counseling them that most dont make it and most of those that do have very short careers. Back to my point on Orta, it takes a mature, smart kid to understand that our staff is shooting them straight and it takes an even more intelligent kid to appreciate it.

 

[DD4ME]

Agree with your points that it's rare for a kid to understand why a coach would give them the truth and appreciate it.

I have wondered some days if there are enough top flight recruits that think this way or have high charachter to meet the teams needs and DD's style.

I think of the final hours of recruiting last year when the 2 big fish we wanted and needed went for more cow paddy laden green fields.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[davethevol]

Agree with your points that it's rare for a kid to understand why a coach would give them the truth and appreciate it.

I have wondered some days if there are enough top flight recruits that think this way or have high charachter to meet the teams needs and DD's style.

I think of the final hours of recruiting last year when the 2 big fish we wanted and needed went for more cow paddy laden green fields.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

With wins will come recruits. Dooley did a much better job than I expected he would last year. I think the 2012 season will show what he is really capable of and we won't struggle with recruits at that point.

 

[mmajaz12]

And the kids who come here knowing the truth, will always end up working harder. I admire CDD for recruiting the kind of kids that he has.

 

[PowerWookie]

Agree with your points that it's rare for a kid to understand why a coach would give them the truth and appreciate it.

I have wondered some days if there are enough top flight recruits that think this way or have high charachter to meet the teams needs and DD's style.


Posted via VolNation Mobile

IMO insightful kids are gonna be less likely to be a bust.. if we can just get the momentum started this year with a nine win season..... everything will take care of itself

 

[sjt18]

Agree with your points that it's rare for a kid to understand why a coach would give them the truth and appreciate it.

I have wondered some days if there are enough top flight recruits that think this way or have high charachter to meet the teams needs and DD's style.

I think of the final hours of recruiting last year when the 2 big fish we wanted and needed went for more cow paddy laden green fields.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

I think the bigger question is whether these type kids bring something to the program that increases the chances of championships. Maybe... if kids stay out of trouble, focused on school and football, and remain in the program for 4 years.... they just might overcome whatever raw talent advantage other programs have.

The smart a....lecks here will say, "Oh yeah, look at Vandy". Yes. Look at Vandy and imagine their smarts and character with ALOT more talent.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Let's hope the strategy works. I myself am still a little skeptical and think it's a little idealisting but, we'll see.

 

[Vol71]

With wins will come recruits. Dooley did a much better job than I expected he would last year. I think the 2012 season will show what he is really capable of and we won't struggle with recruits at that point.

Amen! These kids mainly only look at the sizzle. Tennessee is not going to "level the playing field" by illegal means; as a result, our success will have to follow success. Majors did it and Dooley can do it.

 

[803vol]

Didn't CDD say that he wanted players who could understand a Playbook? ...unlike j.askew
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[DD4ME]

I think DD would like character and would like smarts but I'm positive he's going to take talented kids that are limited on either when he can or has to. The difference is going to be in the number of kids of the two types he takes.

Compared to Kiffin everyone's recruiting choir boys so I definately think DD will look more noble or idealistic just because of the contrast. Kiffin had no ideals to hold kids up to.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[Champ22]

I quess he has some work to do in this area too, since UT football scored at the bottom of the recent SEC APR scores with Arkansas

 

[SDV]

I quess he has some work to do in this area too, since UT football scored at the bottom of the recent SEC APR scores with Arkansas

Really?

Here's a look at the numbers:

Vanderbilt: 975

Georgia: 973

Florida: 971

LSU: 965

Alabama: 957

Kentucky: 951

Tennessee: 944

Mississippi State: 939

South Carolina: 938

Auburn: 935

Arkansas: 930

Ole Miss: 921
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[AndyMizunogolfer]

Right now we need to build a full stable of quality athletes. We dont exactly have to have the # 1 player in the country. We need kids that are going to be here for 3 preferably 4 years and give it their all. I am excited to see where our program is going in the future. I hate the argument on talent vs character. Honestly I would like to have both. As far as the whole you cant have smart players. Look at Stanford. They seem to be doing pretty good for themselves. I think Dooley is doing what needs to be done and be selective on the players he tries to get. He wants kids that we can get in and keep them here. It doesn't do us much good to get a top 5 class if 4-5 of those players aren't with you the next year.

 

[BigPapaVol]

Really?

Here's a look at the numbers:

Vanderbilt: 975

Georgia: 973

Florida: 971

LSU: 965

Alabama: 957

Kentucky: 951

Tennessee: 944

Mississippi State: 939

South Carolina: 938

Auburn: 935

Arkansas: 930

Ole Miss: 921
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Why respond to someone too stupid to understand that he's misrepresenting a stat and using one that doesn't remotely address the point at hand.

That said, he's a savant in Alabama.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[YorkVol]

I think DD would like character and would like smarts but I'm positive he's going to take talented kids that are limited on either when he can or has to. The difference is going to be in the number of kids of the two types he takes.

Compared to Kiffin everyone's recruiting choir boys so I definately think DD will look more noble or idealistic just because of the contrast. Kiffin had no ideals to hold kids up to.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Yes, but when you surround a talented kid who has some potential character issues with smart, hard working and also talented (but maybe less so) players you give that "risky" kid a better chance to learn the right way. Plus your team is self correcting-the peer pressure to do right and work hard helps prevent problems. Once you have a solid base you can afford more risk.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[tripper]

The APR numbers posted are from 2010. We had a 937 this year which tied for last with Arkansas.

However, I also believe the APR is irrelevant, as long as you don't fall below the 925 mark, to this discussion.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[ItStartedatHessHall]

The APR numbers posted are from 2010. We had a 937 this year which tied for last with Arkansas.

However, I also believe the APR is irrelevant, as long as you don't fall below the 925 mark, to this discussion.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

They're attempting to raise that APR score to 930, then later to 940. Just a random note.

 

[DD4ME]

Yes, but when you surround a talented kid who has some potential character issues with smart, hard working and also talented (but maybe less so) players you give that "risky" kid a better chance to learn the right way. Pllus your team is self correcting-the peer pressure to do right and work hard helps prevent problems. Once you have a solid base you can afford more risk.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Great point and I'd agree.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[WoodsmanVol]

I think the bigger question is whether these type kids bring something to the program that increases the chances of championships. Maybe... if kids stay out of trouble, focused on school and football, and remain in the program for 4 years.... they just might overcome whatever raw talent advantage other programs have.

The smart a....lecks here will say, "Oh yeah, look at Vandy". Yes. Look at Vandy and imagine their smarts and character with ALOT more talent.

Let smartalecks talk. Vandy is, well, they're Vandy. CDD and staff look for kids who have the smarts to:

1. Stay in school and capable of, whether they choose to or not, getting a degree.
2. Can learn complex schematics for one or more positions they play and perform them consistently.

I think Vanderbilt traditionally puts more emphasis on academic competence than athlete skill so you don't get kids who have a blend of being merely smart and very athletic as opposed to being semi-Harvard smart and marginally athletic. CDD thus is a pretty good fit for the UT football program. Both schools want young men of character. Vandy, I think has far less tolerance for bad characters than the UT so you don't hear much about troublemakers there. We will hear it less at the UT as CDD selects those he wants here. He's a smart one as he focuses on the parents, especially mom as a primary part of his recruiting. He must be doing something right because time and again you hear recruits, even the ones who don't eventually select the UT say the same thing about CDD and staff caring about the players, being straight and up front about everything from PT to everything else.

If we fans and the AD have brains and patience, Dooley is going to end up drawing highly rated recruits from all over the country. Their mom's are going to insist they come here.

 

[WA_Vol]

Agree with your points that it's rare for a kid to understand why a coach would give them the truth and appreciate it.

I have wondered some days if there are enough top flight recruits that think this way or have high charachter to meet the teams needs and DD's style.

I think of the final hours of recruiting last year when the 2 big fish we wanted and needed went for more cow paddy laden green fields.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

A lot of kids are gifted, they run a 4.3-4.4 40 without being great or average students. What do you do with those kids, you don't recruit them?

 

[Vols4us]

Good observations on this thread. I think CDD has it figured out for what will work best at UT. Since I don't really care much what is best at other schools I will leave it at that.

 

[Champ22]

Why respond to someone too stupid to understand that he's misrepresenting a stat and using one that doesn't remotely address the point at hand.

That said, he's a savant in Alabama.
Posted via VolNation Mobile[/QUO

I quess you haven't seen the new list that came out Tuesday, May 24, 2011. ut and arkansas are tied for last place.

 

[Champ22]

Really?

Here's a look at the numbers:

Vanderbilt: 975

Georgia: 973

Florida: 971

LSU: 965

Alabama: 957

Kentucky: 951

Tennessee: 944

Mississippi State: 939

South Carolina: 938

Auburn: 935

Arkansas: 930

Ole Miss: 921
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Really? These are not this year's stats.

 

[JManVolFan]

I tend to think he'd take the mature kid over the smart kid. Easy to teach a mature kid how to listen and live his/her life then one that wasn't raised as such. I'm sure he loves the Yessur kids. The ones that want to respect him, not the other way around. Jus my genius speaking to the masses! sarcasm*

 

[IPorange]

Really? These are not this year's stats.

Considering this year's stats are reflecting last year's numbers, which were with a third annual coaching regime change, I think I'll hold off on the panic mode.

I warmly thank you for your concern over Tennessee's student-athletes, though. If you'd like to really show your support, you should donate here: Tennessee Fund